The $470 million renovation project addresses key elements to modernize Paycor Stadium while taking responsible measures to protect the taxpayers.
“We want to compete at the highest level in the NFL here in Cincinnati,” said Bengals Vice President Paul Brown. “It was important to have an agreement that works for us, works for our fans and works for the community.”
With the Bengals, the county, and the stadium manager being good stewards of Paycor Stadium, the overall project costs pale in comparison next to the multi-billion dollar new stadiums springing up in similar markets and similar venues.
The Bills are remaining in suburban Buffalo with a price tag escalating to $2.2 billion for Orchard Park’s new Highmark Stadium. The Titans are putting up a $2.1 billion structure next to their current stadium in downtown Nashville. In Cleveland, the Browns are leaving the city for a reported $2.4 billion project in the Brook Park suburb.
The existing stadiums in Cleveland and Tennessee opened in 1999. The Bengals came a year later, and watched their building hold up well enough to be renovated rather than vacated.
The new lease is about the future. Amidst a groundbreaking decade with a team that has been to two AFC title games in the 2020s to go with two AFC North titles, there are exciting years ahead. Strength on the field combined with a new-look gameday experience and top-tier fan engagement engineered by Paul Brown’s great-granddaughters lays a strong foundation for the future.
In talking with the Bengals’ fourth generation of leaders, Caroline and Elizabeth Blackburn say, “We are proud to call Cincinnati our home. We love this city, and we love our fans. We are committed to investing in our team, our stadium, and our community with the motivation to win games and compete for championships for Who Dey Nation and Cincinnati. We look forward to building a strong future together.”